Poem Analysis - The Squatter Three Cornstalks And The Well

Henry Lawson's "The Squatter, Three Cornstalks, and the Well" is a humorous ballad that tells a tale of attempted deception and its ultimate failure. The poem maintains a lighthearted and cynical tone, even as it recounts a story of exploitation and thwarted greed. Woven through the narrative is a mournful refrain of "Sin and sorrer," which provides a darkly comedic counterpoint to the unfolding events. Despite the seemingly simple plot, the poem offers a commentary on labor relations and the perils of overreach.

The Australian Context: Class and Work

Henry Lawson was known for writing about the lives of ordinary Australians, particularly those living in the outback and struggling to make a living. "The Squatter, Three Cornstalks, and the Well" fits squarely within this tradition. The poem reflects the class tensions inherent in colonial Australia, where wealthy landowners ("Squatters") often exploited the labor of poorer workers ("Cornstalks"). The Squatter, representing the employer class, tries to get as much work as possible for the lowest possible price, while the Cornstalks, representing the working class, try to leverage their labor for better pay or easier work. This tension is central to understanding the motivation and actions of both parties within the poem.

The Deceptive Dance: Exploitation and Greed

One of the poem’s main themes is the cycle of exploitation and the temptation of greed. The Squatter initially seeks to exploit the Cornstalks by employing them to clean the well. The Cornstalks, in turn, attempt to exploit the Squatter by artificially prolonging the job for extra pay. The repeated refrain, "Sin and sorrer," foreshadows the negative consequences of both parties' actions, suggesting that dishonesty ultimately leads to suffering. The poem highlights the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of honest labor. The sin they commit is of course not just of lying but of greed, and the sorrer that follows is from that sin.

The Well: A Symbol of Limited Resources

The well itself functions as a potent symbol. It represents a finite resource, whether that's money, labor, or opportunity. Initially, the well is full of "muck," symbolizing the difficulties and challenges inherent in life and work. Cleaning the well represents overcoming these challenges. However, the Cornstalks' act of dumping muck back into the well highlights their misunderstanding of resources. Their attempt to prolong the job for personal gain ultimately backfires, as the Squatter recognizes their deception and refuses to pay them. The filled-in well then represents a dead end for the cornstalks.

The Squatter's Insight: A Question of Fairness

The Squatter's seemingly simple statement that the well is "rather dry" and needs to be filled again holds a deeper significance. It is not just an expression of annoyance at being tricked but also a test of the Cornstalks' integrity. He gives them a chance to redeem themselves by genuinely filling the well. However, when they continue their charade, attempting to deceive him by claiming the clay needs time to settle, the Squatter firmly puts his foot down. This raises an interesting question: Is the Squatter's final act of refusing to pay them fair? On one hand, they attempted to swindle him. On the other hand, he initially hired them for a pittance. Perhaps the poem suggests that while dishonesty is wrong, fair treatment of workers is equally important.

A Cautionary Tale of Overreach

In conclusion, "The Squatter, Three Cornstalks, and the Well" is a deceptively simple poem that explores complex themes of exploitation, greed, and the consequences of dishonesty. Through its vivid imagery, cynical tone, and mournful refrain, the poem delivers a cautionary tale about the importance of moderation and the dangers of overreaching in any endeavor. The moral offered at the end, "That when you do go in for crime / You mustn’t overdoo the thing," underscores the poem’s satirical message: that even in the pursuit of personal gain, there are limits that should not be crossed, and that the universe, or at least the Squatter, has a way of righting the scales.